To achieve the navigational accuracy required to reach the intended orbit in early August, last week the frequency of imaging was increased to twice per week. In each session, half of the pictures are taken with long exposures to ensure many stars are detectable, thus overexposing the much brighter disc of the nearby Vesta.

QUOTE

Twice in the next few weeks, the spacecraft will watch Vesta throughout its complete 5.3-hour rotation on its axis, revealing exciting new perspectives on this uncharted body. The explorer also will search for moons of the alien world.

The next log will be posted shortly after Dawn is in a high, loose orbit around Vesta, still spiraling down toward survey orbit, where it will begin making detailed studies of its home for the subsequent year.

74,000 miles to go. Pictures should be around fifty pixels now. According to the simulated views on the website, DAWN has not been thrusting for several hours, so perhaps they are making their first full rotation movie now.

Also, from my own wikipedia based rough calculations, I'm finding that Vesta's gravity, over the course of a 24 hour day, is currently accelerating the spacecraft to the tune of adding about one quarter of one mile per hour to its approach speed. In metric, an extra 0.12 meters per second per day.

I thought about asking this before, now that it's quite obvious Vesta is in reality very lumpy I guess it doesn't hurt - why did their simulated shape model assume such low crater relief? Shouldn't craters be expected to look more bowl-shaped on a body with relatively low gravity?

Raj PillaiAny new pics after June 20th of Vesta?..Yesterday at 9:15am · Like ·

David Braunstein ‎(Please)^100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 18 hours ago · Like Dawn Mission Friday!! 13 hours ago · Like · 1 person David Braunstein Yeah^100 7 hours ago · Like Raj Pillai I have no idea who is talking about what.. but am I to assume Friday we will get to see newer pics of Vesta?.. 3 hours ago · Like Write a comment...

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